British Fell Champs Rd 3 - Tebay
Morgan Donnelly, a great chance to challenge for the lead
As the fell season unfolds the 2009 British Championships enter a crucial stage. This weekend’s Tebay Fell Race also doubles-up as an English champs ‘medium’ round and should see most of the championship hopefuls descend on Penrith.
Saturday’s the race entertains over 400 runners and it will see the tranquil surroundings of this sleepy Cumbrian village transformed into a seas of shorts, vest and studs.
Pudsey and Bramley runner Rob Hope is still in command of the four-race championship, after a win at the opener at Slieve Bernagh and a third place in Stuc a’Chroin and he will have the bit between his teeth once again as he continues on his quest to retain the title he won in 2008.
Expect keen challenges from the in-form Morgan Donnelly, Ricky Lightfoot, Tom Owens, Andy Symonds, and John Heneghan. Rob Jebb will also be hard to beat after some recent wins and great course knowledge. Morgan and Tom sit in second and third place overall in the championships right now and Rob Hope will need to be at his very best to keep hold of his championship lead.
It should be a bit less peaceful on Saturday...
With round 2 women’s winner Angela Mudge absent it looks like the ladies championship could be a two-way battle between current leader Phillipa Jackson and second placed runner Helen Fines. With just 5 points separating the two runners Jackson will know that a win at Tebay will put her in a very strong position.
Further details on the 8m/3000’ race can be found at the FRA site
Tebay - a quintiscential Cumbrian scene
